Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned the US’ monetary assist to Ukraine is extra than simply supporting the embattled nation in its struggle in opposition to Russia, but additionally a way to curbing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s additional world aggression.
“The US of America [is] supporting Ukraine financially and I’m grateful for this,” Zelensky said in an interview with CBS Information’s “60 Minutes.” “I simply assume they’re not solely supporting Ukraine. If Ukraine falls, Putin will certainly go additional.”
Pointing to estimated tens of billions that the U.S. has contributed to Ukraine’s warfare effort, CBS’s Scott Pelley requested Zelensky if he expects that stage of assist to proceed.
“What’s going to the US of America do when Putin reaches the Baltic states? When he reaches the Polish border? He’ll,” Zelensky warned. “That is some huge cash, now we have lots of gratitude. What else should Ukraine do for everybody to measure our big gratitude? We’re dying on this warfare.”
“Look, if Ukraine falls, what’s going to occur in ten years? Simply give it some thought. If [the Russians] attain Poland, what’s subsequent? A Third World Conflict?” Zelensky continued.
When requested if it is going to take billions of {dollars} extra in support to stop this, Zelensky mentioned, “I don’t have a solution.”
“The entire world [has to] determine whether or not we need to cease Putin, or whether or not we need to begin the start of a world warfare,” Zelensky continued. “We are able to’t change Putin. Russian society has [lost] the respect of the world. They elected him, and reelected him and raised a second Hitler. They did this. We can’t return in time, however we are able to cease it right here.”
The U.S. has offered billions of {dollars} in army and humanitarian assist for Ukraine since Russia invaded the nation in February of 2022.
Final month, the Biden administration despatched a supplemental funding request to Congress together with $24 billion in further army and monetary support for Ukraine. The request included round $13 billion in protection funds to help Ukraine, $9.5 billion for tools and replenishment of Pentagon shares and $3.6 billion for continued army, intelligence and different protection assist.
The Biden administration faces challenges from a growing number of Home Republicans, who’ve expressed skepticism over the approval of extra Ukraine funding.
Zelensky is expected to visit the White Home on Thursday because the Biden administration pushes for this elevated funding. Biden has vowed the U.S. will stand with Kyiv “for so long as it takes” for the embattled nation to win the warfare.
The go to will mark Zelensky’s second journey to the White Home up to now 12 months after he traveled to Washington, D.C. final December to satisfy with Biden and ship an tackle to a joint session of Congress.
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